I feel truly honoured to be asked to review a recently release gem of a book titled, Pearls of Wisdom: 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Live Now! And now to share it with you….

A heads-up – I love self-discovery book! So, you won’t be surprised that I devoured this fabulous anthology of nuggets. Headlining the book cover are the likes of Jack Canfield, one of the leaders in the self-help field as co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. Very much in a similar format and feel as the Chicken Soup books, Pearls of Wisdom is a collection of diverse viewpoints, life experiences, techniques/tools, etc. focused on transformational messages to help you create a more fulfilling life for yourself.

To round out the headliners are Marci Shimoff, Janet Bray Attwood, and Chris Attwood, all previous best-selling authors in their own right. What I love within the cover of Pearls of Wisdom is that my favourite pieces are from some of the rising stars of the self-help movement. Partnering veterans in the field with ‘inspirers’ at different stages of ‘newbie’ status creates a beautiful mentoring feel. It’s as if a door is opening to welcome fresh perspectives into an expanding self-help genre. My strong suggestion is to embrace the more unfamiliar names into your heart.

The joy of a compilation book is considering how to approach it. Unlike a novel or typical self-help book that guide you from cover to cover – or in the case of Pearls of Wisdom from shell to shell – with an anthology you often have other options. So I rocked the options! My choice: to do a ‘random’ (if you believe such a thing exists!) reading of whatever chapter the book opened to at a given time. What a treat! Each day I made time to silently savour a few minutes to myself. Often with a cup of tea at my side, I’d sit, breathe, focus, ask for guidance, and then open Pearls of Wisdom to a page…any page. Wherever my fingers took me, I started.

With each bite-sized chapter by a different writer, the topic, style, and tone seemed to reflect exactly what I needed in each moment. It was truly inspired reading! Every story connected with me in some unique way. Just like it’s name, I love how Pearls of Wisdom offers so many gems of inspiration…and in some very practical ways. This is a book that I closed after each reading feeling I was empowered with more information in the form of tips, tools and insights. I imagine having this book as a resource on my shelf for moments when I need a kick-in- the-butt to focus on a positive life change, and/or to remind myself of my passions.

The title, Pearls of Wisdom, is inspired by the quote, “An oyster can’t produce a pearl without first suffering from a grain of sand.” Mirroring life, the title and the book speak to the reality of life challenges offering the greatest opportunity for inner growth. When better to read an inspired chapter than when we’re faced with something we perceive to be bad, only to watch as it transforms into a blessing. Between the covers of Pearls of Wisdom, you may very well find a moment of transformation that shifts your world forever – a pearl. I did.

If you wish more inspiration to buy Pearls of Wisdom, please read my previous blog interviews with Chantal Herman and Susan Loraine Barker, and then grab your copy of Pearls of Wisdom: 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life Now! Get it while it’s flying off the shelves!

Check out Pearls of Wisdom for yourself…Click HERE

Today, it’s my honour to introduce you to the amazing Susan Loraine Barker, the magical gal who kicks your thoughts of un-worthiness to the curb in her awe-inspiring contribution to the book, Pearls of Wisdom: Thirty Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life Now!

Susan’s chapter, titled You are Already Enough, is based on the philosophy that we are worthy and enough simply because we are alive and that nothing we do or do not do in this life changes that. It is time for ‘not good enough’ thoughts to be replaced by positive motivations because you are ‘already good enough!’ It is unconditional love, so get ready to treat yourself well and follow your heartaftre reading Susan’s sparkling pep-talk!

Curious to find out more about Susan’s approach and her writing journey in Pearls of Wisdom, I asked:

What kind of wisdom do you have to offer the reader?

I have my experience and what has worked for me and my clients. I also have lots of hard won love and acceptance to share. I believe we all have the belief that we are not enough or worthy somewhere in our psyche. How can we not? We grow up experiencing that we need to look a certain way, act a certain way and accomplish certain things in order to be accepted and loved. Therefore, we cannot just be enough! I believe it is our sacred contract to overcome our family and cultural training and realize that we are who we are supposed to be and that is enough. From that place of enough, we can thrive and shine.

What is your most central and compelling “pearl of wisdom”?

You have everything you need within to be your greatest self because…you know what’s coming…you are already enough.

How would you like your readers to think of you?  What is your “signature niche”?

At this time I think it is that You are Already Enough.  Whether I am talking about loving the body you have today or pointing out the story you are telling that is holding you back, it always comes back to you being perfectly, authentically and gloriously you.  I believe that is the key to happiness, liberation from the tyranny of our inner and outer critics, and to unconditional love.  The unconditional part creates miracles, changes lives and saves the world.

What do you think makes this book unique and who would want to read it?

I love that this book offers 30 ideas, 30 choices and 30 voices. Certain voices and styles of connecting resonate with us at different times in our lives. I believe the benevolent universe is always working on our behalf and is always offering what we need to know next.  30 voices means that there are 30 more chances that you will get the message you need right now from this book.

How can people find you?

I work with people all over the U.S, Canada and Europe. My website is http://www.themandalacoach.com/  You can subscribe to a free newsletter and download helpful information there. I also offer daily empowering thoughts on Facebook and Twitter which can also be accessed from my website. Mandalas are designs that symbolize the wholeness and perfection of the universe.  We are mandalas.

A huge hug of gratitude to Susan Barker for sharing her loving wisdom to inspire our ‘enough-ness’. To read more, check out Pearls of Wisdom on Amazon.com

Ready to find out more about Susan…

Susan Loraine Barker, CEC is a certified, professional, life empowerment coach. She specializes in using tools such as mandalas and sacred contracts or archetypes to introduce you to your user’s manual for who you are and why you are already enough, physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Knowing your purpose and major life lessons, as well as how to make your world work for you instead of trying to change who you are to fit the world enables you to be your greatest self.

Susan is a spiritual coach working with clients all over the United States, as well as Canada and Europe.  She uses her background as a coach, educator and inspirational speaker to create a unique experience of self-discovery and actualization in her coaching, conference presentations and workshops.

Susan is the author of The Love Buffet: A book about ending your War with Food and Loving Your Bodacious Body coming out in 2012 as well as a co-author of Pearls of Wisdom: 30 Inspirational Ideas to Live Your Best Life Now. Susan also has been published in Evolving Your Spirit Magazine and is a monthly contributor on the expert panel of Women’s Ally.

You can learn more about Susan at http://www.themandalacoach.com/ Visit for a free download of Why You Are already Enough.

My joy today is introducing you to the sparkling, straight-talking Chantal Herman, the author of the chapter titled Pardon Me – Authentic Forgiveness. What a juicy title! In her writing, Chantal talks about how any situation where blame exists, forgiveness can follow. Chantal believes blame can be made zero by realizing that Life is flow and change. Everything that comes up that seems to be against you is actually a gift to be celebrated – showing you where you are atrophying in your own identity, your own judgements, etc., all stopping you from being your natural self.

Chantal touches so beautifully on the negative self-talk that we each engage at times, and the damage it does as our inner bully. She encourages the compassion of forgiving ourselves ‘for allowing yourself to become a victim.’ Forgiveness then opens us to wholeness – the ultimate freedom!

Thrilled to learn about Chantal’s journey with ‘Pearls of Wisdom,’ let’s get our interview started…

How did you get into this collection of inspiration with folks like Jack Canfield?

I am an Ambassador of Change through the Movement of Change started by Robert Evans, Rick Beneteau and Julian Kalmar. I published a mini-book called ‘It IS all about you’ – Know your Power, Drop your Obstacles and Step into the Life you want – Now.” Through this collective and late last year Robert, through his connection with Randy Davila of Hampton Publishing gave all the authors a chance to pitch for a chapter in Pearls of Wisdom, and here I am!

What do you think makes this book unique and who would want to read it?

I think it is unique because it is a collection of 30 different energies – all pointing in the same direction. We know that no one holds a monopoly on Truth so it’s a celebration of different points of view with the aim to inspire.  As a seeker, having thirty influences in one place, means you can quickly pick up or discard a pearl depending on what rings true for you and continue the journey with a whole bunch of new companions.

What kind of wisdom do you have to offer the reader?

I consider myself to be a Consciousness Facilitator. It started with my work as a BodyTalk Practitioner in 2004 and the Advaitic philosophy and work with Esther Veltheim and her ‘Breakthrough System’. I am an intuitive energy-shifter and story-weaver, able to take people’s story of pain and show them the wholeness they’ve believed they had lost for so long, but was there all the time. I coach people wanting to transition from their ‘greyness’ into work they adore that inspires and Rocks the Universe! And I work with individuals and businesses that have tried everything and want to work differently to inspire themselves, each other and the people they serve.

My ‘wisdom’ revolves around embodying paradox. You are everything and no label is big enough to explain you or the Universe. So quit trying. Let go and step into that room you’ve been searching for and yet have been living in, all your life.

Most people know about Jack Canfield from the Chicken Soup books and Marci Shimoff from her Happy book … How would you like your readers to think of you?  What is your “signature niche”?

I wish to be seen as a ‘Drop the sh*t, Choose Joy and Rock this Universe’ world-change inspiration. My signature is ‘bare-bones straight-talk spirituality’. I don’t talk ‘angels,’ ‘chakras,’ ‘auras,’ or ‘messages.’ It’s just you and your relationship with where you wish to be. I facilitate you getting (t)here.

What is your most central and compelling “pearl of wisdom”?

You are not broken. You are not ‘wrong.’ You have never been separate from what you’ve been searching for – ever.  And the keys to experiencing this ‘place’ lie in gratitude and forgiveness.

Got to LOVE a gal who Rocks The Universe! A huge heart-felt thank you to Chantal for sharing her pearls of wisdom with this community and the broader world.

More deets about Chantal Herman:

Chantal Herman is a performer, author, speaker and Consciousness Facilitator specialising in helping people step bravely into being the sole leader of their life – to change the world.  She completed her first book as a pioneer (Ambassador of Change) with The Messenger Mini-book program and 10 Million Clicks for Peace, which aims to spread a message of Peace to the world through ‘pass along’ books, inspiring 1000 authors in the process. The book is entitled ‘It IS all about you ~ Know your Power, Drop your Obstacles and Step into the Life you want – Now.’  Her mini-book is fast-becoming a favourite - inspiring many around the world and is soon to be an expanded book and workbook.

Trained as a musical theatre performer, Chantal has toured South Africa and the eastern world with international productions loving transforming audiences through entertainment and connection with magic. She has been seen on TV in various shows and also creative-directed family and children’s entertainment for TV. She has also worked in the marketing and advertising.

Chantal was a certified workshop facilitator of ‘The Path’, a mission and vision workshop based on the work of Laura Beth Jones, author of The Path. She studied ‘BodyTalk’ an energy medicine systempioneered by USA-based Dr. John Veltheim, seeking to empower people through awareness, to facilitate their own healing. She has given numerous talks on the subject and achieved advanced status as a practitioner of the BodyTalk System and Parama BodyTalk.

Chantal was a facilitator of the ‘Breakthrough System’ based in Advaitic philosophy – a method to help drop false identities and beliefs in search of the authentic self.

Her greatest work right now is introducing people to Consciousness through the Involutions Series of processes, intensives and coaching which she has created. She has a remarkable gift of simplifying and infusing with laughter, the concept and process of becoming Conscious and provides deceptively easy and fun tools to create and live in awareness every day. She inspires World-changers (like You) to step confidently into the life they wish to create. One-stop Life overhauls for people on-the-move.

www.chantalherman.com

Rock Your Overwhelm – the book – is now 2-months old! To honour this huge milestone, and since YOU are the reason for this book, I’d like to get you fully involved in the celebration.

If you are like me, I often purchase something that I know will be super helpful…BUT something stops me, and instead the item sits on a shelf watching me. Sound like you?

Let’s start with this – have you opened the book? Hmmm??? OK, so here’s where you start to get involved. It’s time to open the book!

Why? To inspire you to live clarity, balance, and freedom this season…if even for a few minutes. You are worth it!

What’s involved? Shockingly, you find the book…on whichever bookshelf, bedside table, pile of To Dos, etc. you put it. Here’s where the fun begins – and I am being serious – open the book to any page. Then:

• Take a photo of you reading my book.
• Post the photo on my Facebook Author’s page (see the link below) OR email me the photo (and I’ll add it for you to Facebook).
• If you prefer to NOT have it on Facebook – which I totally understand – please email it to me letting me know it’s ‘For My Eyes Only.’

How? Facebook or email me your photo WITH MY BOOK VISIBLE IN YOUR HAND to be entered to win. Each new photo is a new entry – up to 3 entries per person. Family, friends, followers, clients, everyone are welcome to enter. Get creative…but keep it clean! You know you are… : )

Click here for my Facebook Author’s Page link.

If you have not already done so, please click on the link and ‘LIKE’ it so you get to see other people’s posts.

Or…By email, send your photos to: [email protected]

What’s up for grabs? PRIZES peeps! Yes, it’s the season of giving, so I am giving away PRIZES! The TOP 3 entries drawn will each receive a 45-Rock Your Overwhelm Coaching session with ME in-person, by phone, or via skype. Yes, time to really shift your overwhelm!

When? Considering the holiday season and giving everyone who’s ‘stored’ or yet to order my book an opportunity to participate too, the final entries need to be submitted on Facebook or by email to me by January 31, 2012. The sooner the better!

Where did the idea come from? Thanks to my brother Matt, who sent me a photo of himself sitting on his loo in London, England – now being made into business cards. Only kidding!

And if you have not yet purchased my book…consider the moment during the blast of recent Holiday Overwhelm when it occurs to you that you NEED my book. It’s gone beyond ‘want’ to actual serious ‘NEED’! Now you can win goodies too!

Looking forward to seeing you reading!

The Butterfly: What is Your Stage of Evolution?

There are natural stages supporting the evolution of the physical world. Each one of them must be completed properly before the next one can take place. At what stage of your evolutionary journey would you say that you are? Let’s use the metaphor of the butterfly to figure it out.

Tanis Helliwell, spiritual teacher and author of Decoding Your Destiny, keys to humanity’s spiritual transformation (http://tanishelliwell.com/), describes it very well in her DVD Spiritual Transformation – Journey of Co-creation. She explains that for ages the butterfly has represented the Soul with four stages it, like humans, go through in transformation. 

1^st stage: the egg

At this stage one is completely unconscious, not even into this reality, actually not born at all. Some people are so dependent on others that they don’t exercise their own will. They are in the “egg stage” of consciousness.

2^nd stage: the caterpillar

It is very independent and totally self serving. Indeed it is completely driven by the desire to take. With a voracious appetite it’ll eat all the plants around it and, in fact, will destroy many plants. Some people also are very independent using their Ego or personality to get everything that they want. Our world has had its share of caterpillar like people who are just gobbling up all the resources of the earth, doing whatever they like without any boundaries or concern for others

3^rd stage: the cocoon

Lots of people right now are experiencing the cocoon like stage. They are fed up with what the Ego or personality has done to the world. They are experiencing a spiritual transformation and they are saying: “Stop, I don’t want to be part of gobbling up everything in my world, or people, or resources. I want to be different than that. Surely there must be a different way.” They are starting to hear the Soul’s call but are not sure where they are supposed to go with it so they go into a cocoon which is the proverbial dark night of the Soul. They stay there working on themselves, undergoing their own transformation. As they get stronger, just like the caterpillar, time will come to be born as a butterfly. For a caterpillar the cocoon is actually the end of its personal life. It can’t envision that it’s going to be a beautiful butterfly. People in the cocoon stage can see what they have left behind and what they don’t want anymore. They have no idea how wonderful a life they are going to have when they become a butterfly. They are going by faith, trust, optimism, and incredible courage to stick to the path. That’s what will get them through to become a butterfly – not by the power of will but, instead, by their quiet attentiveness and surrender to the process

4^th stage: the butterfly

That stage of awakening is a Soul infused personality. Those humans grace us with beauty. The butterfly goes from flower to flower amongst all the different species of flowers, and fertilizes them. The butterfly doesn’t take from the world – it gives to it. That’s where co-creative humans are going. We all are becoming butterflies.

Self acceptance and reconciliation

No matter at what stage one finds themselves before the liberated butterfly it remains important to accept who we are NOW with love. That is the short cut to move through all the stages of evolution and to master all the lessons pertaining to each stage. A personal transition toward the next level increases their sensitivity. They become acutely aware of previous errors or wrong doing. Feelings of guilt or shame or anger may arise creating congestion and a delay toward the next phase. It is better to accept our previous ignorance with compassion and to reconcile with who we were. It was all part of the plan. Eventually we’ll enter the Light. It is inevitable. It is our birth right. Nobody will be excluded by punishment. We are made in the substance of Love and Love always reunites.

A huge thank you to…

Marielle Croft, Certified Astrologer
www.croftastrologer.com

To ORDER your copy of Rock Your Overwhelm: Live in Clarity, Balance and Freedom and see all the gifts…CLICK THE LINK:

http://inspiredauthorscircle.com/whitney-mcmillan/

BUY NOW! Thank you!

Whitney’s first published book will be launched on November 2, 2011:

Rock Your Overwhelm: Live in Clarity, Balance and Freedom

Are you overwhelmed with living a hectic full-on life?

Do you feel your self-trust is “on vacation?”

What would it be like to live your life fully with clarity, balance and freedom?

In her sassy transformational book, Rock Your Overwhelm: Live in Clarity, Balance and Freedom, motivational speaker, workshop facilitator and life coach, Whitney McMillan walks you along the path to living free of overwhelm. Yes, you can!

Recognizing the beliefs you picked up throughout life, releasing the boulders that no longer positively serve you, and visioning your future full of lighter choices, Whitney guides you through seven proven steps to insightful clarity, increased balance, and inspired freedom. Lightening your overwhelm clears the way to live with greater self-trust by following your inner wisdom.

Whitney supports you to surrender struggle and find flow in your life. It’s time to get out from under your rock to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones – Live Overwhelm Freedom!

My good friends, Kate and Julia, at ConsciousDivas.com are hosting a fabulous event with motivational speaker and best selling author, Gabrielle Bernstein this coming September!  Gabrielle is launching her brand new book titled: Spirit Junkie: A Radical Road To Self Discovery. What a great moment to share the magic!

Gabrielle’s personal story is amazing. Several years ago, she went through a miserable “Rock Bottom” time in her life, where she questioned if there was ever a way out for her.  It wasn’t until an Intuitive Tug shook her awake, realizing that she was the only one who had the power to change her life around. By embracing and learning Self Love, she finally saw the beautiful Miracles that always hovered around her.

If you’ve ever felt or currently feel like your life could use a boost, you’ll benefit amazingly from this live event!

Gabrielle Bernstein will be in Vancouver to promote her new book on September 26^th, 2011

For more information on this Fabulously Empowering Event, please visit:

http://www.consciousdivas.com/gabrielle-bernstein

If you purchase early, your ticket price includes a copy of Gabrielle’s new Book, Spirit Junkie. Got to love treats!

Look forward to seeing you there!!

These can be trying times and it can be easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day that we forget about working on those aspects of change that are truly important to us. Most of us believe it is the amount of our resolve – the pure determination – that dictates whether or not we will accomplish our goals. It is all a matter of will power and if our will power is strong enough, then we will succeed. The truth of the matter is, we unknowingly sabotage our own attempts to keep our goals because very few of us know the tools and techniques necessary to succeed!

Today I have teamed up with New York Times best selling author and Hay House Radio Host, Eldon Taylor, to bring you a tool that will assist you in all areas of your life. Whether your goal is happiness, prosperity, weight loss, accelerated learning, stress relief, improving self-esteem, or creating the perfect relationship, Eldon Taylor’s Change Without Thinking holds the key to your success.

For one full day, Eldon  (one of the world’s foremost authorities on pre-conscious learning), spoke at the Putra Trade Center in Malaysia. He taught a packed house and a number of dignitaries including the former First Lady of that country all about Change Without Thinking, and now, through a special arrangement with Hay House, the original footage from Eldon’s incredible presentation has been enhanced and recorded for you to see on three DVDs. Attendees paid several hundred dollars to attend this event and now you can watch it at your convenience - and for only pennies on the dollar—all 3 DVDs (a full workshop) for under $25.

Click to watch video clips from Change Without Thinking:

http://www.progressiveawarenesspromotions.com/it/11f/index.html

Change Without Thinking will show you:

1. The ongoing truth about why we often choose to sabotage ourselves;

2. How we can find purpose, reward and meaning in life;

3. Why we are often seemingly unable to keep our resolutions;

4. How to transform your life and make a real difference in the lives of others; and

5. How to be successful in your every undertaking.

Click here for more information:

http://www.progressiveawarenesspromotions.com/it/11f/index.html

I am so excited about Change Without Thinking because I know it can really make a powerful difference in your life. That is why I have joined with many visionaries in offering special bonus incentives worth hundreds of dollars when you take advantage of this limited time offer. So stop putting off your success. Reach your true potential and make this your best year ever!

Get your copy today! Along with thousands of dollars in FREE gifts…including MINE!

http://www.progressiveawarenesspromotions.com/it/11f/index.html

“Dr. Eldon Taylor is for me a miracle. I can’t thank you enough for helping me to pull myself out from a slump that nearly ruined my life. And right now, not only am I  ‘nearly out’, I can guarantee getting out with a more positive and a better mind set for the life I have ahead. In the conference, he said, ‘Thank God for unanswered prayers’ but I’m so glad he answered mine this time.”

March 22, 2011 6:30pm – 8:30pm

at Utopia Books & Gifts (1826 Lonsdale Ave. North Vancouver)

To discuss:

The Art of Extreme Self-Care
by Cheryl Richardson (2009)

Drop-in meetings – we look forward to you joining us!
Suggested $10 donation. (for room rental)

For more information: 604-722-5402 or [email protected]